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Remy Martin scored a season-high 23 points and Kansas did their bit as the only No. 1 seed remaining in the NCAA Tournament, holding Providence to 17 points in the first half and holding on to a 66-61 win Friday night. Elite eight.
The Jayhawks (31-6) advanced further than fellow No. 1 seeds Gonzaga and Arizona, both eliminated in the Sweet 16, and Baylor, whose title defense ended in the second round. On Sunday, they will face either Miami or Iowa State in the Midwest Finals.
Jalen Wilson added 16 points and 11 rebounds for the Jayhawks, who returned to the Regional Finals for the first time since 2018, when they reached their 15th Final Four. Coach Bill Self is planning his fourth trip there since 2003.
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Remy Martin and Christian Brown of Kansas celebrate after the second half of a college basketball game in the Sweet 16 round of the NCAA Tournament against Providence on Friday, March 25, 2022, in Chicago. Kansas won 66-61. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Kansas also led Kentucky for the most wins in Division I history with 2,354 wins.
The Jayhawks had a 13-point lead early in the second half, squandered their chance, and then regrouped. Fourth-seeded Providence (27-6) briefly led by one point, but Kansas responded by scoring seven consecutive points.
Out of the top 12 players of the year, Ochai Agbaji scored five points, a season record. But with Martin and Wilson in the lead, the Jayhawks won their eighth straight win after losing 74–64 at TCU on March 1.
Al Durham led Providence with 21 points. But the Friars shot 33.8% and made 4 of 23 3-pointers as their best record since reaching the Regional Finals in 1997 under Pete Gillen came to an end.
Kansas led 26-17 at halftime and 36-23 early in the second half before Providence went on a 9-2 streak capped off by Ed Croswell’s three-pointer.
This caused a loud roar from the Friars fans, and they had more to cheer after Noah Horchler hit two 3-pointers in about 50 seconds to cut the lead to 41-40 midway through the half.
Reeves tied the game at 44 when he hit two free throws, and Horchler put Providence into first place 48-47 when he scored on layup with 5:49 left.
Jalen Wilson scored three points to bring the Jayhawks back to first place. Christian Brown added one of his own, and an interception by Wilson resulted in a layup for David McCormack, making it 54–48 with 4:12 to play.
Agbaji made the Kansas contingent roar as he threw an alley dunk to make it 57-50. A.J. Reeves responded with a three for Providence, but Kansas remained at the top until the end of the road.
BIG PICTURE
Providence: Coach Ed Cooley’s Friars made a huge leap, finishing 13th-13th a year ago. They won their first Big East regular season championship and advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2018.
Kansas: The Jayhawks made another solid defensive run and made enough shots to keep their championship hopes alive.